Crime & Justice

Man shot, killed by officer in north St. Louis

A 23-year-old man was shot and killed by police after brandishing a knife at St. Louis, Missouri police on Tuesday, according to St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson on social media.

Police Chief Sam Dotson said officers responded to Tuesday to a store where the man was reported to have stolen energy drinks and a pastry, the Associated Press reports.

"The suspect, who right now is described as a 23-year-old African American, was acting erratically — walking back and forth up and down the street," Dotson told reporters, KTLA reports.

The man pulled out a knife and said "Shoot me now. Kill me now," Dotson said. Officers told him to drop the knife several times, but the man continued to advance and the two officers fired their weapons at the suspects, according to Dotson.

The officers were put on administrative duty, according to Dotson, which is the department's policy after an officer-involved shooting.

This comes during the continued protests following an officer shooting and killing unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.